The Central Carolina Community Foundation (CCCF) offers General Operating Support (GOS) Grants to assist nonprofits in enhancing their operational capacity. These multi-year, unrestricted grants allow recipient organizations to allocate funds according to their specific operational priorities, fostering long-term sustainability. First introduced in 2021, the GOS grants aim to support organizations rooted in and connected to underserved communities, increasing their capacity to deliver impactful services.

The GOS grants serve multiple objectives, including investing in historically underfunded communities, strengthening nonprofit relationships in the 11 counties of the Midlands, and building trust with grantees. They are also designed to help nonprofits sustain high-quality services beyond the three-year funding period. Grantees must annually expense funds, submit reports, attend quarterly meetings, and maintain communication with CCCF staff. Additionally, all recipients must register their organizations on MidlandsGives.org.

The grant provides $30,000 in total funding, distributed as $10,000 annually over three years, contingent upon meeting eligibility and reporting requirements. These funds may be used for general operations and administrative expenses. To be eligible, organizations must be registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for at least two years, have an annual operating budget under $450,000, employ at least one part-time staff member working 20+ hours weekly, and have received a CCCF grant since July 1, 2021. They must also have a physical presence in one of CCCF’s 11-county service areas, including Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda, and Sumter.

Applications are accepted from January 1 to January 31, with an applicant interest webinar held on January 7. The application process consists of two rounds: an initial online application and an interview for selected candidates. Notifications for Round 1 status will be issued on March 19, and interviews for Round 2 are scheduled for April 9. Final decisions will be announced on April 30, with the funding period running from June 1, 2025, to May 31, 2028.

CCCF uses a structured review process to evaluate applications. This includes eligibility verification, application assessments by CCCF staff and a review committee, and final approval by the CCCF Board of Trustees. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the funding priorities and eligibility requirements before applying. Declinations will be communicated via email.

For additional information or assistance, organizations can contact Trimease K. Carter, CCCF’s designated point of contact, via phone at 803-978-7826 ext. 315 or email at trimease@yourfoundation.org. The grant portal, accessible through CCCF’s website, serves as the primary platform for submission and application management.